Manchester United have reached an agreement with Brighton to sign midfielder Carlos Baleba for £65 million, with a further £5 million in add-ons. The deal follows the rejection of an initial £60 million offer, plus £5 million in add-ons, earlier this week.
Third midfield addition of the summer
The 22-year-old will become United's third midfield acquisition of the summer. Brighton had valued the player at more than £100 million last summer, but United have secured their target at a considerably lower price twelve months later.
Baleba recently sustained an ankle ligament injury. The problem is not believed to be severe, but he is expected to be unavailable for immediate selection at United. He is set to sign a five-year deal at Old Trafford, with a medical reportedly scheduled for Saturday.
Summer spending reaches £155m
United have spent £85 million so far this summer, bringing in back-up goalkeeper Karl Darlow on a free transfer, securing Andrey Santos in a £50 million deal and signing Youri Tielemans for £35 million. The summer outlay will reach £155 million once the Baleba deal is concluded.
The club had planned to reshape their midfield this summer following Casemiro's exit on a free transfer. Manuel Ugarte picked up a serious knee injury at the World Cup, further highlighting the need for additional reinforcements.
Further signings expected before deadline
United will also be looking to bring in a left-back before the transfer window shuts for Premier League clubs on September 1.
Michael Carrick admitted that the club are still hoping to get deals over the line before the window closes in little over a week. The former midfielder appeared to be pleased with the work conducted so far.
"I just think we're looking to strengthen the squad," he said. "We're certainly working towards that, making the most of the situation that we have and trying to improve things and trying to move forward. I said the same thing to you last time, so yeah, certainly trying to make the most of the opportunities to finish the window stronger than we went into it, and I think we're in a good way to doing that so far."
